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Violence Against Women - STOP IT NOW!

The LONDON ANGLIA REGION will be putting its full weight behind this UKPAC campaign!

Our region’s PAO was fortunate in being able to attend the Conference on Tackling Violence Against Women at the Duxford Airspace Conference Centre on Friday 6th March 2009. The key speaker was Vera Baird QC MP Solicitor General. Vera Baird has been on the VAW campaigning trail for years having also atended our own UKPAC Conference way back in 2005. She spoke then about women in prisons and asked Does the Punishment fit the Crime?

Vera Baird discussed the best practice to address the following types of violence:

  • Sexual violence- Sexual Assault Referral Centres & Specialist Support Services
  • Domestic Abuse – Problem Solving the Co-ordinated Community Response to Domestic Abuse
  • Prostitution – Taking strategy into action
  • Honour Based Violence
PAO Margaret has fed back her full report to clubs so that they are aware how violence affects women - its impact on women’s lives, families and self esteem. The report will be the subject of much club discussion in the coming months.

Our Region’s work in combatting Violence Against Women and supporting women who have been the victims of violence will be added here and updated regularly.

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1. MAP of GAPsAll clubs have done some work towards validating the MAP of Gaps with varying success. The consensus is that the survey was poorly carried out and that it is difficult to obtain accurate information.However it has enabled clubs to understand more about DV facilities through their investigations. Cambridge, ChelmsfordColchester, EnfieldGt Yarmouth, IpswichKing’s Lynn, East London, NorwichSouthend, Sudbury
2. Domestic ForumsAt least 3 clubs have representation on their local Domestic Fora.Colchester club receives updates on activities from Victim Support & they are a member of the Human Rights Centre at Essex University NorwichIpswichColchester
3. Domestic Violence ConferencesClubs have attended various DV ConferencesCambridge has had their local Rape Crisis Centre to speak to them Norwich & ColchesterCambridge
4. RefugesMost clubs regularly provide toiletries and or clothes etc to their local refuge and raise funds for them.Ipswich also assist with administration and work on the refuge’s outreach projects eg: arts & crafts sessionsChelmsford Club provided funds & support for the refuge websiteGt Yarmouth are pursuing mentoring with their local refuge Cambridge, ChelmsfordColchester, Gt Yarmouth, IpswichKing’s Lynn, NorwichSouthend, Sudbury
5. TraffickingIpswich Club are working with “Street Free Project” (this is not necessarily trafficked ladies but may be.Ipswich friendship link in Denmark – Naestved - are working on “Stop Trafficking” and they are sharing ideas. All clubs have signed petitions on the Stop Trafficking site IpswichCambridge, ChelmsfordColchester, EnfieldGt Yarmouth, IpswichKing’s Lynn, East London, NorwichSouthend, Sudbury
6. Forced Marriage & Honour AbuseSeveral clubs are gaining awareness and have had speakers from survivors and/or the help line people at the police.
7. FGM Again just gaining awareness through discussion.
8. Elder Care־Two clubs have representation on their county LINk team ((Local Involvement in Network for health and social care)Distribution of the personal checklist for elderly living alone. Norwich club are looking at how to extend this to the whole communityChelmsford are working with Crime Stopper & Essex Police to produce a leaflet raising awareness of “Elder Abuse”Chelmsford held an aware raising eventThe Region will be having a health & Elderly session (held on 26th September) Colchester & NorwichNorwichChelmsfordChelmsfordRegion
9. EducationSouthend on Sea have School Governors who encourage relationship education to school children. Southend on Sea

Please keep letting Margaret know about your VAW SIN work and fund raising for our next meeting in September - Thank You

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